System and method for processing traffic study requests

ABSTRACT

A system and method for processing traffic study requests in a communications network. The system provides a log-in window for a user identification validation. If a user is an authorized user of the system, the system provides a window for displaying a CPNI disclaimer. The system provides a new order request window for receiving customer information and input parameters. The system provides a new study request window for receiving a telephone number to be studied. Once the traffic study is completed, the system receives a report of the traffic study. The system then forwards the report to the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/259,447, filed Sep. 30, 2002, and now issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,269,250.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to telecommunications networksand, more particularly, to a system and method for processing trafficstudy requests.

2. Background of the Invention

Traffic studies are generally performed for marketing, network planning,and various other reasons. Data from a traffic study can be used togenerate revenue, analyze new services, resolve customer complaints, andprovide better switch efficiency. For example, traffic studies can beperformed to determine whether new lines are needed to provide a betterservice to customers. Similarly, traffic studies of existing lines canbe performed to determine how may new lines are needed to improve anexisting service.

Performing a traffic study is a tedious process. It is a verylabor-intensive and time-consuming process. For example, when a customerservice representative receives a traffic study request from a customer,the representative manually fills out a study request form that includestelephone numbers of those lines to be studied. The customer servicerepresentative forwards the study request form to a study group memberfor further processing. Upon receiving the study request form, the studygroup member manually verifies pertinent information on the studyrequest form to make sure that the form was properly filled out. Thestudy group member then verifies a location of a central office switchat which traffic associated with the telephone numbers are handled.Thereafter, a network assistant accesses the central office switch,verifies the actual numbers and the type of facilities involved. Thenetwork assistant then manually sets up a traffic data collector systemto collect data from the switch and sets up the study. The collecteddata is then manually calculated and a report is prepared. When thereport is completed, the report is faxed, mailed, or e-mailed to thecustomer service representative. The customer service representativethen forwards the report to the customer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system and method for automating atraffic study request in a communications network. The system and methodof the present invention automates the steps of receiving and processinga traffic study order in a communications network. The system and methodof the present invention receives a traffic study order including atelephone number from a user, locates a central office serving thetelephone number, initiates the traffic study, and provides a report ofthe traffic study to the user without traditional manual process.

In an embodiment, the system includes a set-up module, a reportingmodule, and a database. The set-up module receives a traffic study orderthat includes a telephone number from a user. The system uses thedatabase to locate a central office that serves the telephone number andto verify whether the telephone number is an LNP number. The set-upmodule then initiates the traffic study in a traffic study unit. Thereporting module receives a report of the traffic study from the trafficstudy unit and forwards the report to the user.

In another embodiment, the system includes an user identificationvalidation module, a disclaimer module, a order request module, a studyrequest module, a first database, a second database, and a reportingmodule. The user identification validation module validates a useridentification received from a user. The disclaimer module provides aCPNI disclaimer. The order request module provides a first windowadapted to receive customer information and input parameters for atraffic study order from the user. The first window also automaticallydisplays user information previously obtained from the user. The studyrequest module provides a second module adapted to receive a telephonenumber from the user. When the system receives a traffic study order,the system uses the first database to verify a location of the centraloffice that serves the submitted telephone number. The system uses thesecond database to verify whether the telephone number is a local numberportability (LNP) number. The system then initiates the traffic study intraffic study unit. Once the traffic study is completed, the systemreceives a report from the traffic study unit. The reporting module ofthe system forwards the report to the user. Further, the system mayinclude an administration module for providing administrative reports,and an error notification module for providing an error notification.

In another embodiment, the system locates a central office that servesthe LNP number.

In another embodiment, the system receives a plurality of telephonenumbers associated with one or more central offices.

In another embodiment, the system provides options for a delivery of thereport to the user.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a first window forvalidating a user identification received from a user, a second windowfor displaying a CPNI disclaimer, a third window for automaticallydisplaying user information obtained from a user directory and forreceiving from the user input parameters for a traffic study, and afourth window for receiving a telephone number to be studied.

In another embodiment, the present invention can be adapted to provide awindow for displaying a status of a pending order and to allow the userto modify the pending order.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary status window according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary new order request window according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary new study request window according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary new study request window according to anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram that illustrates, in a very simplefashion, an exemplary system according to the present invention. Asshown, the exemplary system includes traffic study unit 102, network104, user directory 106, and system 100 of the present invention.Traffic study unit 102 is connected to network 104. Traffic study unit102 performs traffic studies of network 104. Traffic study unit 102 maybe an application or a group of applications that performs trafficstudies. System 100 functions as a user interface of traffic study unit102. A user submits an order for a traffic study and receive a reportthrough system 100. User directory 106 contains a list of authorizedusers of system 100 and user information associated with each of theauthorized users. The user information may include, for example, auser's name, a user's telephone number, and a user's e-mail address.User directory 106 can be either internal or external to system 100.Preferably, user director 106 is external to system 100.

System 100 and traffic study unit 102 can be provided as one system.Alternatively, system 100 and traffic study unit 102 can be provided asseparate systems. A user of system 100 can be either seller 124 or buyer122 of a report of a traffic study. Seller 124 can be a serviceprovider. Buyer 122 can be a customer of the service provider. Buyer 122can request a traffic study by contacting seller 124 to request atraffic study from system 100. Seller 124 preferably has directconnection to system 100. Seller 124 then connects to system 100 tosubmit an order for the traffic study on behalf of buyer 122.

System 100 includes set-up module 110, reporting module 112, and one ormore databases. Preferably, system 100 includes first database 114 andsecond database 116. First database 114 may include, for example, PSIMS(Product Services Inventory Management System). System 100 obtains theSwitch Type/CLLI for all NPA-NXX from first database 114. At this point,the central office location has been identified and eCATS can connect tothe right switch to start verification. Second database 116 may include,for example, ATLAS (Application for TN Load Administration andSelection). System 100 checks LNP from second database 116 via aninterface. The interface may be, for example, a CORBA interface. Aten-digit telephone number will be input and a status will be returnedfrom second database 116 indicating ported status. Set-up module 110provides tools that a user can use to submit an order for a trafficstudy. Set-up module 110 of system 100 receives an order for a trafficstudy from a user. System 100 may use first database 114 and seconddatabase 116 to verify a location of central office serving a facilityor facilities to be studied. Preferably, system 100 may use firstdatabase 114 to verify a location of central office serving a facilityor facilities to be studied. Further, preferably, system 100 may usesecond database 116 to determine whether a telephone number to bestudied is an LNP number. First database 114 and second database 116 maybe provided as one database. System 100 then initiates a traffic studyin traffic study unit 102. When the traffic study is completed,reporting module 112 receives a report of the traffic study from trafficstudy unit 102 and forwards the report to the user. Preferably, system100 can create a traffic study report and forward the report to theuser. Preferably, system 100 is provided in Java based GUI (GraphicalUser Interface) application. System 100 can be quickly and easilyaccessed via the internet.

Preferably, system 100 includes security features, such as a useridentification validation. System 100 may provide a login window for auser to submit a user identification and a password. System 100 verifiesthe submitted user identification. If the user is an unauthorized user,system 100 may send a message to the user indicating, for example, thatthe user is not authorized to use the system. If the user is anauthorized user, system 100 allows access.

System 100 may display a CPNI (Customer Proprietary Network Information)disclaimer. The CPNI disclaimer includes a clause to comply with FCC(Federal Communications Commission) rules governing CPNI. A user mayeither agree or disagree with the CPNI disclaimer. Preferably, if theuser disagrees with the CPNI disclaimer, system 100 automatically logsoff the user. If the user agrees with the CPNI disclaimer, system 100provides a status window that allows the user to view the status of theuser's pending orders, if any pending orders exist.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary status window 200. Preferably, system 100assigns a tracking number and an order number for each order itreceives. System 100 also assigns a study number for each study. Anorder may include multiple studies. As shown, status window 200 displaystracking numbers in first column 202, order numbers in second column204, study numbers in third column 206, and status in fourth column 208.A status of an order can be viewed using different options. For example,a status can be viewed by using a tracking number. Alternatively, astatus can be viewed by entering the date on which the traffic study wasperformed. Status window 200 may include pull down menus that listavailable options. Preferably, status window 200 also provides otheroptions. For example, status window 200 may include “Modify Order”button 210 that allows the user to modify the order and “Cancel Order”button 212 that allows the user to cancel the order. Status window 200may also include “Modify Study” button 214 and “Cancel Study” button 216for each study. The user selects “New Order” button 218 to initiate anew order. After “New Order” button 218 is selected, system 100 providesa new order request window.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary new order request window 300. Preferably, neworder request window 300 includes customer (i.e., buyer) informationsection 302, user information section 304, study parameter section 306,and delivery options 308. Preferably, user information section 304 ispopulated by system 100. System 100 can preferably automatically extractuser information from user directory 106. The user informationcorresponds with the user identification submitted in the log-in window.System 100 can preferably populate user information section 304 usingthe user information. By automatically populating user informationsection 304, system 100 eliminates errors caused by a user during manualprovision of the user information. The user can preferably review theautomatically populated user information in user information section 304for accuracy. This enables the user to update the user information, ifnecessary.

The user can provide input in customer information section 304, studyparameter section 306, and delivery options 308. For example, the usercan provide input parameters for a traffic study to be performed instudy parameter section 306. Preferably, the input parameters include,“Main List Number” 310, “Start/End Date” 312, “Start/End Time” 314, and“Study Days” field 316. “Main list number” 310 can be the telephonenumber to be studied. Pull down menus may be used. The user can selectthe day or days on which the traffic study is to be performed.Specifically, the user can select one or more days on which the trafficstudy is to be performed by selecting or checking the appropriate boxesin “Study Days” field 316. For example, for a seven-day study, the usermay select all of the boxes in “Study Days” field 316. The “Start/EndDate” may be set, as default, for the week following the input week. The“Start/End Time” may be set, as default, for 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.,respectively.

The user can also select a preferred delivery method in delivery options308. The user may select one or more of the deliver methods whichinclude receiving the report, for example, by online, e-mail orfacsimile. Preferably, system 100 provides error messages if errorsoccur while completing new order request window 300. For example, anerror message may indicate, “A valid customer name must be provided.”The user may cancel the order by selecting “Cancel” button 322. The usermay proceed by selecting “Submit” button 320. Preferably, after “Submit”button 320 is selected, system 100 provides a new study request window.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary new study request window 400. Preferably, newstudy request window 400 includes “Directory Number” field 402, “StudyType” field 404, and “Facility Name” field 406. New study request window400 may include drop down menus. The user can provide a telephone numberto be studied in “Directory Number” field 402. Preferably, “Study Type”field 404 may be set for “automatic.” Optionally, the user may provideinput in “Study Type” field 404 and “Facility Name” field 406. System100 can automatically provide information of a facility associated withthe telephone number submitted in “Directory Number” field 402. Theinformation of a facility includes, for example, a type of the facilityand a name of the facility. System 100 can also provide the informationof the facility with a partial input provided in, for example, “FacilityName” field 406.

The user can request more than one study in one order. For example, theuser can add a study by selecting “Add to List” button 404. Preferably,system 100 displays a list of added studies. FIG. 5 shows an exemplarynew study request window 500 that includes a list of added studies 502.The user may delete the studies from the list of added studies byselecting “Delete” button 504. Once the studies are added, the user maysubmit the study request by selecting “Submit” button 506. System 100may provide a tracking number for the order. The user can use thetracking number to track the order and the study the user requested.System 100 may also provide a confirmation of the order.

System 100 determines location of a central office that serves thetelephone number identified in the study request. Preferably, thedetermination is made using the NPA-NXX part of the telephone number.System 100 can locate a central office switch where the telephone numberis actually connected to, even for a local number portability (LNP)number. System 100 allows the user to study telephone numbers withdifferent central office locations. Preferably, if a valid CLLI isreceived system 100 uses first database 114 (shown in FIG. 1) to verifythe location of the central office. Otherwise, the user gets an errormessage. Further, preferably, system 100 may use second database 116(shown in FIG. 1) to verify if the telephone number is an LNP number.System 100 may access central offices using CLLI (Common LanguageLocation Identification).

System 100 automatically provides a report of a traffic study to a userwho requested the traffic study following the completion of the trafficstudy. System 100 can provide a report in near real-time. System 100 canprovide an intermediate report.

System 100 provides administrative reports for the system'sadministrator. The administrative reports may include, for example, atotal number of orders and/or a total number of facilities studied perorder.

System 100 provides indicators that indicate problems occurring during atraffic study. Preferably, system 100 notifies appropriate personnelwhen the problems occur. Rather than canceling the traffic study whenthe problems occur during the traffic study, system 100 sends a messageto a hotlist and the correct study type can be selected from thehotlist. The hot list includes messages that inform a network assistantwhether there is a problem with system 100 in verifying a telephonenumber. The hot list also helps determine the study type or whetherthere is a problem with eCATS in accessing a central office. Preferably,system 100 prepares the hot list hourly.

FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram illustrating an example of the operation ofsystem 100 of the present invention and interaction of the useraccording to the present invention.

In step 600, the user logs into system 100 to submit an order for atraffic study. It is assumed that in this example the user is anauthorized user. The user submits a user identification and a passwordin the login window. System 100 verifies that the user is the authorizeduser. Verification can be made based on information accessible to system100.

In step 602, once the user is logged in, system 100 provides a windowthat displays the CPNI disclaimer. The user can either agree or disagreewith the CPNI disclaimer. If the user disagrees with the CPNIdisclaimer, system 100 logs off the user in step 604.

If the user agrees with the CPNI disclaimer, system 100 provides statuswindow 200 (shown in FIG. 2) in step 606.

In step 608, to initiate to submit the order for the traffic study, theuser selects “New Order” button 218 in status window 200.

In step 610, system 100 provides new order request window 300 (shown inFIG. 3). System 100 extracts user information from user directory 106(shown in FIG. 1) and automatically populates user information section304 in new order request window 300.

In step 612, the user provides customer information in customerinformation section 302 in new order request window 300. The user alsoprovides input parameters needed for the traffic study in studyparameter section 306. The user can also select a preferred deliverymethod. The user then selects “Submit” button 320.

In step 614, system 100 provides new study request window 400.

In step 616, the user provides a telephone number to be studied. Theuser can request more than one study by selecting “Add to List” button404 in new study request window 400. Once all of the study requests areadded, the user submits the request by selecting “Submit” button 506 innew study request window 500.

In step 618, system 100 verifies a location of a central office servingthe telephone number submitted in step 616. System 100 also verifies ifthe submitted telephone number is an LNP number. If it is an LNP numberserved by the local telephone service provider in its own region, theprocess continues. Otherwise, the user receives an error message.

In step 620, system 100 determines a facility type of associated withthe submitted telephone number. The facility type may include, forexample, a single line, a trunk group, and a basic ISDN. Preferably,system 100 uses a study type look-up (STL). Preferably, the STL, throughfirst database 114, does the verification of the telephone number. Onceit has been identified by CLLI, the study information page is suppliedwith the study type. If the study type requires a facility name, thisinformation is provided as well.

In step 622, system 100 initiates the traffic study in traffic studyunit 102 (shown in FIG. 1) with the information obtained from step 606to step 620. Traffic study unit 102 accesses the central office servingthe submitted telephone number and performs the traffic study of thefacility or facilities specified. A report is setup to collect data forthe dates the user has requested in step 612.

In step 624, when the traffic study is completed, system 100 receivesthe report from traffic study unit 102. For example, the report mayinclude a cover sheet and a grade of service that determines if thebuyer needs to add or delete lines due to the needs of the buyer'sbusiness.

In step 626, system 100 forwards the report to the user via thepreferred delivery method selected by the user in step 612.

The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations andmodifications of the embodiments described herein will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. Thescope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appendedhereto, and by their equivalents.

Further, in describing representative embodiments of the presentinvention, the specification may have presented the method and/orprocess of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps.However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on theparticular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process shouldnot be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one ofordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps maybe possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth inthe specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims.In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of thepresent invention should not be limited to the performance of theirsteps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readilyappreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A method for processing a traffic study request in a communicationsnetwork, comprising: validating a user identification received from auser; receiving customer information and input parameters from the user;receiving a plurality of telephone numbers from the user for which thetraffic study is requested; determining whether any of the plurality oftelephone numbers is a local number portability (LNP) number; if thelocal number portability number is served by a local telephone providerin a region associated with the local telephone provider, thencontinuing with the traffic study for the local number portabilitynumber and processing the traffic study to determine whether newtelephone lines are required for the plurality of telephone numbers; andif the local number portability number is not served by the localtelephone provider in the region associated with the local telephoneprovider, then discontinuing the traffic study for the local numberportability number and sending an error message.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising determining a central office serving anyof the plurality of telephone numbers.
 3. The method according to claim2, further comprising querying a database for the central officeassociated with a telephone number.
 4. The method according to claim 1,further comprising reporting the traffic study.
 5. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein determining whether any of the plurality oftelephone numbers is the local number portability (LNP) number comprisesquerying a database for a telephone number.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising assigning a tracking number and an ordernumber to the traffic study.
 7. The method according to claim 6, furthercomprising assigning a study number to the traffic study.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7, further comprising causing display of a graphicaluser interface that displays tracking numbers in a first column, ordernumbers in a second column, study numbers in a third column, and astatus in a fourth column.
 9. The method according to claim 7, furthercomprising acquiring a status of the traffic request by entering a dateon which the traffic study was performed.
 10. The method according toclaim 7, further comprising acquiring a status of the traffic request byentering the tracking number.
 11. The method according to claim 1,further comprising extracting user information from a user directory 106and populating a graphical user interface with the user information. 12.The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a user'sselection of multiple days on which the traffic study is to beperformed.
 13. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingreceiving a user's selection to cancel the traffic study.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising determining a location of acentral office serving any of the plurality of telephone numbers. 15.The method according to claim 1, further comprising reporting a totalnumber of facilities studied per order.
 16. The method according toclaim 1, when a telephone number cannot be verified, rather thancanceling the traffic study, further comprising sending a message to ahotlist that informs a network assistant of problems.
 17. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising querying a database to obtain aswitch type associated with each telephone number.
 18. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising assigning a single study numberto multiple traffic studies performed for the plurality of telephonenumbers.
 19. A system for processing a traffic study request in acommunications network, comprising: means for validating a useridentification received from a user; means for receiving customerinformation and input parameters from the user; means for receiving aplurality of telephone numbers from the user for which the traffic studyis requested; means for determining whether any of the plurality oftelephone numbers is a local number portability (LNP) number; if thelocal number portability number is served by a local telephone providerin a region associated with the local telephone provider, then means forcontinuing with the traffic study for the local number portabilitynumber and means for processing the traffic study to determine whethernew telephone lines are required for the plurality of telephone numbers;and if the local number portability number is not served by the localtelephone provider in the region associated with the local telephoneprovider, then means for discontinuing the traffic study for the localnumber portability number and means for sending an error message.